The Most Common Drywall Installation Mistakes Made By DIYers

Drywall installation is a simple project – provided, of course, that you know what you’re doing – which is why some people DIY it. If you’re not very experienced in DIY projects, however, then it can be expected that you might make some mistakes during the installation.

In this post, Handyman Connection® of Eden Prairie discusses the most common drywall installation mistakes that DIYers tend to make.

Oversanding

Before installing your drywall, you’ll have to sand it to achieve a smooth surface. However, the common mistake DIYers make is that they sand too much into the paper or fiberglass tape that covers the seams, which will force you to retape to avoid compromising the installation’s integrity. Avoid sanding too much, and install a light at a low angle to the wall so you can spot any rise or bump.

Screws Are Driven Too Deep

When your screws are driven too deep, they can break the surface of the wallboard’s paper face. This can cause the screw to lose its holding power, essentially rendering it useless. You’ll have to make precise turns to avoid this or use a special drill attachment to regulate the screw’s depth. Should you puncture the paper, don’t remove it, and drive another screw near it instead.

Drywall Joints Are Too Tight

If you think tightening your drywall joints are a good thing, it’s actually not. Tightened drywall joints risk breaking the drywall in unexpected ways since it will prevent the expansion and contraction of the framing members. This, in turn, can crack the drywall joints that are too tight. Should you make this mistake, there’s no retroactive fix for it, but you can prevent it by using a guide that can direct you in tightening your joints properly.

Failed Joints

The joints between the panels should overlap framing members so both edges can be securely screwed down. However, if a seam between the panels falls into the air, often called a hanging joint, then the joint’s failure is all but guaranteed.

Avoid hanging joints as much as possible by supporting the hanging joints with studs every 16 inches. Alternatively, you can also nail an extra stud or sleeper blocking so the joint will have a surface on which to be nailed.

Turn to Handyman Connection of Eden Prairie for your home improvement needs. We are your number one provider of flooring and drywall installation services Give us a call at (952) 777-4875, or fill out our contact form to request an estimate.